YMCA receives $878K bond

News-Times, The (Danbury, CT)

Published 7:00 pm, Friday, February 29, 2008

Greg Dembowski
, director of development for Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut, said the $878,000 released by the commission Friday will help pay for the pool enclosure, expanded locker rooms and new parking spaces at the Camp Greenknoll facility.

"The enclosure over our new Olympic-size pool will allow us to use the facility throughout the year," Dembowski said.

He added the YMCA now has about $1.2 million for the $2.4-million project. The organization previously received a $250,000 contribution from Branson Ultrasonics Corp. in Danbury.

"We are actively fundraising for the remainder," he said. "Any local companies that would like to help us with that would be much appreciated."

The commission also released about $698,000 for Western Connecticut State University.

Paul Steinmetz, a spokesman for the university, said the money is part of an annual grant from the state that helps pay for equipment that needs to be fixed or replaced.

The
Ridgefield Housing Authority
is set to receive $3.25 million to help pay for the renovation of 120 units of family and elderly housing at the Ballard Green and Prospect Ridge developments. The apartments, which are more than 20 years old, need new roofs, heating systems and cabinetry, officials said.

"This money is good news for Ridgefield and the families that depend on this housing," authority executive director
Diane Burgos
said recently.

The commission also released nearly $900,000 for
Bethel Library
to complete the interior of the second floor of an addition. Library officials have been working for years to raise the $3 million needed to complete the project.

The state
Department of Transportation
received $1 million to pay for the design of a third lane on Interstate 84 in the eastbound lane between exits 1 and 2 in Danbury. Officials said the study could take up to a year to complete.